Fitted Shirt Woes

[DerMann]

Evening,

I've lurked about this forum a few times, but never really settled on joining. I've been a member of the Sheridan Club and a follower of the Chap for some time now, and hope to expand myself sartorially.

On to business...

I recently bit the bullet and shelled out the cash for a proper stiff fronted shirt from The Vintage Shirt Company. The shirt itself is a very nice replica and fits my neck just right. However, they did not offer exact sleeve lengths, instead they keep the sleeves at 35" on all sizes.

This is a bit of a problem for me, as 35" is just barely short enough to cause me the humiliation of bare wrists.

I'm still fairly new to tailoring and what not, but would it be possible to extend the length of the sleeves? Is it too far-fetched of an idea to have the entire sleeves removed at the shoulders and have an inch or two of fabric sewn in, and sew the sleeves back on to the new fabric? Since this shirt will only be worn with white tie, the arms will never be exposed, and no one would be able to see the alterations.

Or will a tailor just laugh at me?

-JR

 

[BegintheBeguine]

Hello

I was a tailor and I wouldn't have laughed. I did something similar, as I recall. I wonder why they only offer one length?
Ashley

 

[DerMann]

Thanks for the response.

I just found it a bit outlandish, as I've never heard it done before.

I'll start looking for a tailor, I suppose.

 

[MK]

.

Evening,

However, they did not offer exact sleeve lengths, instead they keep the sleeves at 35" on all sizes.

That is crazy! One size does not fit all.

 

[DerMann]

That is crazy! One size does not fit all.

It most certainly does not!

One would expect that for £70 one could at least specify the sleeve length.

But then again, The Vintage Shirt Co. does seem to have a monopoly on the product :/

 

[Jovan]

I hate to be the devil's advocate here, but I think you should have thought this through a bit more before purchasing, especially as there are two other formal shirts with longer sleeve lengths on that website. Just my two cents. [huh]

It is possible, but I don't think you can lengthen the sleeves that much.

 

[DerMann]

I hate to be the devil's advocate here, but I think you should have thought this through a bit more before purchasing, especially as there are two other formal shirts with longer sleeve lengths on that website. Just my two cents. [huh]

It is possible, but I don't think you can lengthen the sleeves that much.

Don't mean to be pedantic, but it's the only shirt on the page with a plain stiff front. And apart from travelling to Jermyn Street, this was my only option [huh]

The thing is, 35" is just barely too short. I normally wear shirts with 36" sleeves, and depending on the brand, 36" can even be too long.

 

[Tomasso]

However, they did not offer exact sleeve lengths, instead they keep the sleeves at 35" on all sizes.

Many high-end British and Italian shirtmakers cut their shirts with just one sleeve length, usually on the long side (36-38 in.), leaving it to the buyer to have it shortened to fit.

would it be possible to extend the length of the sleeves?

There's usually between a 1/4 in. and 1 in. of seam allowance at the cuff which can be used to add length , beyond that you'd need to find some allowance at the shoulder which would be much more problematic.

Is it too far-fetched of an idea to have the entire sleeves removed at the shoulders and have an inch or two of fabric sewn in, and sew the sleeves back on to the new fabric?

This is doable if performed by a competent tailor (preferably a shirtmaker) but it will be pricey.


Another option would be to have the current cuffs replaced with longer ones, although fabric matching will be tricky and it's a pricey job as well.